Article September 7, 1912 Issue

PROPHETS AND PROPHECY

WILLIS D. MC KINSTRY.

Biblical history informs us that Samuel established a school of the prophets; we are also told that these learned men instructed the people in a higher knowledge of spiritual things, and that often the message given them was in direct opposition to their own wish or desire.

Regarding the prophecies of the Old and New Testaments, a Bible encyclopedia says: "It is true the mission of God's messengers is not limited to the foretelling of events. The broad, original meaning of the word makes the prophet a man of the times, whose primary object was religious instruction,—the moral and spiritual culture of his fellow men; he was a reformer, a preacher of righteousness, and the stern reprover of sin. He was also an interpreter of history." In his second epistle Peter says, "Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." In both the Old and New Testaments the prophet is the divine messenger who communicates to men the revelation which he has received from God. Peter and Paul and John are among the prophets, as well as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. Amos says: "I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit: and the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel."

Modern history will give Mrs. Eddy her rightful place among the prophets. She established that school of Christian Science which is instructing the world today. The activities of this institution are substantial and constructive in their nature, and each and all are fulfilling their sacred mission. In the bringing forth and inaugurating of this movement, nothing seems to have been left undone, and Mrs. Eddy has been the channel of divine Love, through whom these utilities of good have come to humanity. The nature of Christian Science is distinclty educational, reaching into every human experience and teaching mortals the way of salvation. It gives to mankind the Principle and rule with which to work out life's problems; and the propagation of the Christian Science movement is effectually helped through the distribution of its literature. The prophet Isaiah wrote, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" To publish is to make public,—to make known to all people in general.

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